Monday morning. I’m pulling up to school all alone for a change, before anyone else has had a chance to get here. I do this to give myself some time to think about what I’m becoming; A leader? A vigilante? A monster?
I lock my bike and head into the cafeteria to sit inside and away from the gathering crowds as students get off the buses. I get about five minutes of alone time when my phone goes off and I see that Kori's wondering where I’m at. I tell her to send everyone to class, and to spread the word that I'll be in the field at lunch.
It does amaze me how the world can change in just two days. Friday, there was a tension that had the school gripped in anticipation and fear; even the teachers were feeling it. Now, here I am on Monday, after third period, and instead of heading to get a lunch, I head to my spot at the bleachers and find that people are waiting for me and wondering where I am. My girls and friends are there too, but, it’s the crowd of onlooking students that are doing the majority of the talking.
I calmly walk up behind a simple looking student and say "excuse me". I watch the kid turn and as soon as others notice where I am the mass of students parts at my
presence and I quietly head over to my family. I give a kiss to both Kori and Katy before ascending the bleachers to my spot--top corner--and face the assembled crowd. I can see everyone is waiting with anticipation as to what I’ll say or do; they have reason to be. The rumors of ‘what’ happened and ‘who’ got taken care of are buzzing around the school.
I look out and can even see Mrs. Jackson has reached the back of the crowd and is staring when I decide to show some real respect. "People, move aside. Our principal is here. Let her through,” I tell the crowd. I watch the crowd turn their attentions to her, make a path for her and start to whisper as to her intentions. Mercifully, I’m not stupid and don’t plan on any grand display of power that I don’t have.
I wait for her to get to the front before speaking. “Do you smell that? Do you hear it? Can you see it?” I get some confused looks from the crowd,”That is the lack of oppression in the air.”
I get cheering and applause for my words and I let it go for a few moments before raising my hand and quieting the crowd.
“Now, here I am with our principal in front of me and this is what I have to say to that: Welcome out to your field, Ma’am. Would you like a seat up here or are you okay down there?” I ask with genuine politeness.
“No, Mr. Donnelly, I’m fine. I'm just hearing what an unelected student leader has to say,” Mrs. Jackson tells me in a matter-of-fact tone.
“All right, Ma’am. I’ll get to the point, but, honestly, thank you for coming, because it helps me illustrate,” I tell her before turning my attention to the crowd again, ”...that this, here, is the person who tells us what we can and cannot do at school. Has she ever told you not to wear your clothes a certain way? Has she ever told you that the way you look is wrong? Has she *ever* just told you that who you are is wrong?”
I get murmuring from the crowd and even more confusion. Mrs. Jackson, on the other hand, doesn’t look phased by my questions for the crowd.
“I’ll help you out; she hasn’t. It’s not who this woman is. She looks out for you *because* of who you are, *NOT* what you dress like. This is the leader that I looked up to when I was chosen to be the person you see in front of you. This woman, Mrs. Jackson, has the power and the authority to tell you what to do and when to do it. She doesn’t. Why? Because she respects you.”
I get a level of awe with the crowds’ silence. ”As you walk your NEW school grounds, remember that you are not oppressed, you are cared for. You are treated like people because you *are* people.”
I get applause and more cheering from the students and find Mrs. Jackson waiting patiently for me when I get to the bottom of the bleachers with my friends. We walk with her back to the office and the whole of my family waiting in the office has the secretaries a little confused when Mrs. Jackson pulls me into her office alone.
“That was quite a speech, but, the question is, how much can I trust you?” Mrs. Jackson asks sitting down.
“Ma’am, you have real power, here, and I know that. I’m just telling people that when I stood up to something, I didn’t stand up against everything. I do respect you Mrs. Jackson,” I tell her still standing.
"Well, you made a very good point out there, I was wondering what those crowds I’ve been seeing were about, but, since I seem to have student support, I can’t really tell you to stop,” Mrs. Jackson says leaving a pause,” But, I will not have this ‘rumored’ aggression running around my school and I will not tolerate any bullying from either side.”
“I understand, Ma’am, and my people know to treat people with respect first. It’s when we aren’t left in peace that we return in kind what we were given,” I say politely.
I get dismissed and rejoin my friends and girls as we head to get a quick bite from the cafeteria before class. The rest of my day until homeroom goes by smoothly, save for a quiet level of peace that has been around all day long. I get to the Gym and see my whole crew and Kiante waiting for me. I beeline it to the Class VP with a level of urgency that puts everyone on edge till they see my smiling face.
